The Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW) GmbH is one of the world's leading institutions in the field of
composite materials. We investigate and develop the entire value chain of composite materials "from the scientific basis to the component".

To strengthen our team in the Future field ,,vitrimers”- we are looking for a Research Assistant (m/f/d)

Your task
Vitrimers are a rather new class of polymer matrices for fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs). Under the
influence of temperature, such dynamic polymer networks transform from a highly rigid thermoset state into a
flowable state. This opens up new possibilities for the forming, repair and, in the future, also the recycling of
FRPs. Within the scope of this research project, it is the goal to investigate and fundamentally understand to what ex-
tent vitrimer-based FRPs can be formed and repaired using ultrasound - that is, through mechanical waves and
beyond a purely thermal stimulus. Preliminary work shows that the use of power ultrasonics represents a partic-
ularly promising and innovative approach for this purpose.

Your task will be to explore the fundamentals of these materials and their application in fiber-reinforced polymer
composites, to identify suitable ultrasound-sensitive vitrimers, develop new methods to experimentally charac-
terize the flowability of vitrimers and corresponding FRPs under the influence of ultra-sound, and develop an
understanding of the interaction between ultrasound, vitrimers, fibers and interfaces.
For your research work, you will have access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and will work with ex-
perts in the fields of materials science, chemistry and physics. The project will be carried out in close collabora-
tion with the research group “Power Ultrasonics” at the Chair of Materials Science and Engineering at RPTU
Kaiserslautern-Landau and is also embedded in the Priority Programme SPP2528 of the German Research
Foundation (DFG).
It is possible to pursue a doctorate.